MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 11 MAY 2016 AT REAL ADVENTURES OFFICE PARYS
- Opening and welcoming: Christo Meyer did the opening and welcoming
- Attendance and apologies:
Present: Christo Meyer, Bennie Pretorius, Ester Ndweni, Hugh du Preez, Carl Cilliers en Ria Myburgh
Apologies: Samuel Seleke and Ruan Ferreira.
2.1. The minutes (with a few corrections) of the previous meeting is accepted and signed by all present.
2.2 Cathsseta – Christo Meyer gave feedback regarding the progress Cathsseta made with our grant application. Cathsseta indicated that they are still busy with the evaluation the report of the independent consultants that visited us and it will still take two to three weeks. Apparently they were also confused about document we have already submitted to them regarding payment that was already made. Christo Meyer received and email from them requesting documents such as the invoice and progress report regarding the previous application (payment no 2). Although Dome Guides Association did send them all the documents they need at the time, Christo Meyer is of the opinion that we should send it again. Bennie Pretorius undertakes to send the necessary documents.
2.3 Website – Webmeester changed the website address and name as requested. Ria Myburgh could use photos in both Webmeester and Carl Cillier’s possession to use in the website. There is now time to work on the website.
2.4 Financial Statements – Regarding the financial statements, audit and call account. Bennie Pretorius did the financial statements as send it to the auditors at Finrek. Christo Meyer explains that with a call account you receive a higher interest rate at Absa Bank. Bennie Pretorius mention that at Capitec Bank the bank cost is much lower that Absa while the interest rate is high. Bennie will go to Capitec and explore that option and will report back at the next meeting.
2.5 Badges – Christo Meyer contacted Uveshnee Pillay and she said a reasonable time to wait for badges is between three to four weeks, not eight months as is the case with the Northwest Registrar’s office. She recommends the evoking of appeal procedures – that is appeal to the director and he will pass it on to the National Registrar. Christo don’t think we should go this route because it could create an adverse reaction and we don’t want to burn bridges. Carl Cilliers will talk to Frikkie Scheepers from It’s Ink to find out if he is registered as a supplier to print the badges. Then we can recommend him as a supplier to Northwest. Ms Pillay also proposed that we write her a letter requesting regular inspections to alleviate the problem of illegal guides operating in this area. Because the area is situated in two provinces we should ask for a bi-monthly inspection – that is six times a year for the Freestate and the same for Northwest which makes it effectively once a month.
2.6 Wild Africa.com – Ria Myburgh spoke to Mr. Visser in Cape Town. He confirms that Parys is on the shortlist for the Freestate. He also stated that the Vaal River counts to our advantage. He will be able to give some feedback within the next three weeks.
2.7 Grewer Ave – Most of the major players were present during an onsite meeting in Grewer Avenue. A decision was made that the barricade will be moved to create suitable parking. There will also be dropdown poles with locks and permit holders will receive keys to open the locks when they need to use the area, whether it’s offloading boats, to clean the area or cut the grass.
2.8 Membership fees – Christo Meyer explained that when the Dome Guides Association started the source of income was the membership fees. However, since then the Association acquired another source, namely the grant from Cathsseta that is sufficient to not tax people on a yearly basis. A guide must pay every three year R240 plus the first aid certificate renewal. Christo putting it forward that the Association should consider that you join once, pay a joining fee and remain a member.
2.9 Workshop – There is some concern about keeping contact with the guides/operators and in getting some feedback from them. Christo Meyer proposes a quarterly Dome Guides Workshop run by the members and operators, starting with him. It was decided that the first workshop will take place on the 8 June 2016 at 16:00 till 18:00. The topic will be geology and the workshop will be free of charge. The Dome Guides Association will sponsor R250 per workshop towards food/snacks and cooldrinks. Attendees must bring their own alcoholic drink. Hugh du Preez will do a workshop on water polo at the Canoe Club (7 September), Bennie Pretorius will do a workshop at his Base Camp and Christo will enquire if Jaco Botha will do a workshop at his place.
2.10 Public comment – Draft Regulations – Christo Meyer and Jan Fourie worked together in formulating some comments relating to the Draft Regulations which must be submitted by the end of the week. They listed problem areas such as illegal guiding, lack of continued professional education/development, role and responsibilities of the Provincial Registrar. Adventure guides that do risky activities should be re-asset more often, in particular for rescue practises or techniques that’s not practise in regular operations by adventure guides. There must be a category for the scope (which appears on the Cathsseta certificate) and it must also tie in with the certificate and appear on the ID card the guide is issued with.
3. Meeting closed at: 13:09
4. Next meeting: 13 July 2016 – 11:00 – R.E.A.L. Adventure Office